Abstract

SANTOS ARRONTES, D.; FERNANDEZ ARJONA, M.; VALER LOPEZ-FANDO, M.P.  and  CORTES ARANGUEZ, I.. Influence of climate, according to Koppën classification and Lang's index, on gross rate mortality associated with prostate cancer in the geographical area of Spain. Actas Urol Esp [online]. 2005, vol.29, n.9, pp.828-833. ISSN 0210-4806.

Objective: To evaluate if the climatic factors of temperature and rainfall influence mortality associated with prostate cancer for a period of five years. Material and methods: The mortality trends associated with prostate cancer will be evaluated in the period ranging from 1^st january 1998 to 31^st december 2002, in the geographical area of Spain. The demographic and mortality data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and the climatologically data on temperature and rainfall were obtained from the National Meteorology Institute applying the values registered in 2002. Based on the meteorological data, the different provinces are classified in accordance with Koppën climate classification and climatic index of Lang that defines them from the mean annual and monthly temperature and rainfall data. Mortality rates will be expressed by 100.000 men year, applying for their study the Kruskall-Wallis test for "n" independent samples through the SPSS v12.0 Windows software. Results: Three main climatic areas are obtained, one area with type B climate, which accounts for 13% of the total population, a Csa climate, and a Csb, accounting for 67 and 20% respectively. The mortality found is higher in the Csb type for prostate cancer (p= 0.007), as compared to the other two climatic areas. Conclusion: Mortality associated with prostate cancer is significantly higher in the regions with a lower sun exposure. However, randomized prospective studies confirming these findings are warranted.

Keywords : Prostate neoplasm; Epidemiology; Sunlight.

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